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Waterford

gaa oral history project

Despite its present reputation as a hurling stronghold, Gaelic football was initially the preferred Gaelic sport in Waterford: the county was one of only nine to compete in the inaugural All-Ireland football championship in 1887. The development of the national rail network was crucial to the early progress of the GAA and this was no more evidence than in Waterford. For instance, the town of Dungarvan boasted extensive rail links and played host to several All-Ireland hurling finals during the early twentieth century for that very reason. In Waterford City, meanwhile, the development of hurling was assisted in the 1920s and 1930s by the work of schools and establishment of new clubs such as Erin’s Own and Mount Sion. All of this fed into the securing of a first Munster hurling title in 1938. A second provincial title came a decade later and it was accompanied by the county’s first All-Ireland triumph. Unfortunately the county’s second All-Ireland in 1959 did not pave the way for further success and it was not until recent decades that Waterford again re-surfaced as serious contenders for Provincial and national honours. But the hurlers of Waterford were the not alone in building a profile for Gaelic games in the city and county. The women footballers also blazed a trail of glory, winning a remarkable five All-Ireland titles during the 1990s.